TAMIL FILM REVIEW:
Racy Entertainer: KoCast: Jeeva, Karthika, Piaa
Ko’ has all the ingredients of a racy entertainer — juicy premise, good star cast, foot-tapping music and eye-catching foreign locales.

The script goes like this: Ashwin (Jiiva) is a hard-working photographer working for ‘Dina Anjal,’ a popular Tamil daily. It’s his passion for shooting pictures (taking huge risks in the process) that speak and tell the truth, makes him a ‘star’ in his office and among his peers.

Journalist Renuka (newcomer Karthika) and an investigative reporter Saro (Piaa) who covers the entertainment section happen to be Ashwin’s colleagues and both of them somehow develop a soft-corner for him in their hearts.

The elections are underway and the fight is basically between the incumbent chief minister Yogeswaran (Prakash Raj) and opposition leader Kota (Kota Sreenivasa Rao). Both are adept at leaving no stone unturned to ensure that they come to power.

Thanks to Renuka’s incisive writing and Ashwin’s scoop photos, a third force led by a youth Vasanthan (Ajmal) emerges out of the blue who too believes in clean, corruption-free politics.

While Vasanthan addresses a huge youth rally just prior to the elections, a bomb goes off at the venue, killing Saro instantly. Ashwin and others are convinced that it wasn’t an accident but the handiwork of the politicians and pump in their support to Vasanthan besides mustering the public’s support which results in Vasanthan becoming the youngest chief minister of the State.

It gets better from here with more twists and an incredible climax.

One can’t help applaud the efforts K.V. Anand and other actors who have combined successfully to make an entertainer involving media and politics.

Jiiva blends into the role with effortless ease. Newcomer Karthika has a good screen presence. Piaa Bajpai is a treat to watch and makes a strong statement with her bubbly presence.

Ajmal, as a young and educated Indian who wants to clean the political system in the State, carries this tough assignment on his shoulders in a relatively easy manner and has delivered a stunning performance.

Anand impresses us with his eye for details in one sequence but soon manages to irritate viewers by resorting to archaic screenplay.

The way Naxalite movement is portrayed only betrays the director’s poor knowledge about them. Some of the heroic elements are quite unwarranted and clichéd. The political chess game too has been poorly portrayed and lacks imagination. The climax is ridiculous and too long. Songs are okay.

The background score blends seamlessly with the narration. Anthony’s editing is crisp and the songs by themselves are quite melodious and shot extremely well.[Chennai Online]